Edwin f



(No Model.) J

SHOE

Patented- Mar.- 29, 1898.

mi norms PETERS co Pncnmumu, WASHINGTON, 0.1:.

UNITED STATES I EDWIN F. BLOSSOM, or LYNN, MASSA for the insertion ofthe foot itis provided with .top downwardly and backwardly to a pointOI-IUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOOD- YEAR SHOE MAOHINERY COMPANY, OFBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 601,234, dated March29, 1898.

Application filed June 30, 1896. Serial No. 597,588. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it'known that I, EDWIN F. BLOSSOM, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Lynn, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth ofMassach usetts,have invented anew and useful Improvement in Shoes, ofwhich the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,is a specification.

My invention relates to shoes,and more particularly to shoes of the lacevariety in which the foot-opening is closed and the Shoe secured to thefoot by suitable lacing devices.

The object of my invention is to produce a shoe of this type in whichthe foot-opening shall be of such shape as to facilitate the insertionof the foot into the shoe and also to improve the lacing devices of suchshoe,whereby the instep and ankle portionsof the upper may beindependently adjusted.

,To this end my invention consists of a shoe in which the foot-openingcomprises substantially horizontal and vertical sections,'and, further,a shoe in which the lacing devices comprise two or more substantiallyindependently-adj ustable groups or sections, whereby the shoe may beeasily put on and taken off and may be more perfectly adjusted to theankle and instep.

My invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1shows the shoe closed, and Fig. 2 shows the same shoe open.

Similar letters and figures of reference refer to similar partsthroughout both views.

The shoe comprises the vamp 1 and the quarters 2 and 3.

For the purpose of opening the shoe-upper the foot-opening A, formed bythe meeting edges of the quarters 2-and 3 and preferably upon the innerside of the shoe, whereby it maybe easily reached to operate thefastening devices when the shoe is on the foot by the opposite leg.

For facilitating the putting on and taking off of the shoe thefoot-opening may be of the contour Shown.

As shown, the opening formed by the meet-' ing edges of the quartersextends from the in the upper intermediate the top and the sole. Fromthis point the foot-opening extends forward and downward to the edge ofthe vamp. As shown, the opening may curve at the angle 6 and also bedownwardly curved at the point where it meets the vamp, such curvesadding to the grace and beauty of the shoe. By forming the foot-openingas shown, with the substantially horizontal and vertical portions, thequarters are'capable of being spread open to a great extent, and thuspermit the easy insertion of the foot into the shoe. 7

As shown in Fig. 2 and by dotted line min Fig. 1, the shoe is made upwithout the tongue usually employed in lace-shoes, and instead thereofone of the quarters (in the shoe shown the rear quarter) is providedwith an extension of substantially the shape shown, which projectsbeneath the opening formed by the meeting edges of the quarters andprevents the admission of dust'and dirt into the Shoe, at the same timeforming a protection to the foot from pressure of the devices used inclosing the foot-opening. The edge of the extension is shaped as shown,with the reentrant curve, in order to prevent its buckling and rufflingup when the ankle is bent in walking.

The foot-opening, as shown, is closed by means which insures theindependent adjustment of the upper or quarters to the instep and ankle.The preferred form of closing and fastening is shown in the drawings andcomprises a lacing Z and suitable lacing hooks or studs 01, around whichthe lacing is passed in the usual manner.

At some point intermediate the bottom and top of the foot-opening,preferably at the base of the vertical portion thereof, there is securedto the shoe upper some convenient form of clamping device to clamp thelace and to prevent the strain exerted by said lace upon the upper abovesaid clamping device from being transmitted to thelupper below saidclamping device, and thus, as before set forth, there is produced thesubstantially independent adjustment which is desirable in lace-shoes.The clamping device may be of '100 any preferred form or arrangement,that shown being well adapted for the purpose, and comprising thelace-fasteners B B, formed of wire, which are placed one upon each edgeof the quarters adjacent to the foot-opening in such manner that theintermediate portions of the lace may be passed into and be firmlyclamped by the same and thence continued upon the hooks or studs to thetop of the shoe, where they are secured. I I may use similar clampingdevices B B at the bottom of the foot-openin g, as shown, in order toprex'ent the lace from becoming detached from the shoe, and also similarclamping devices B B at the top for securing the free ends of the lacewithout tying the same.

By making the foot-opening as shown I produce a shoe which can bereadily and quickly put on and taken off, and by my improved lacingdevice the upper of the shoe can be adjusted across the instepindependently of the adjustment around the ankle, which is a featuregreatly to be desired in lace-shoes.

Having fully described the invention and its mode of operation, what Iclaim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is-

1. A shoe provided with a foot-opening extending downwardlysubstantially vertically at the side of the shoe to a point intermediatethe top and sole, and thence substantially horizontally to the edge ofthe vamp, a lacing closing the opening, and means for the independentadjustment of the portions of said lacing closing the vertical andhorizontal portions of said foot-opening, substantially as described.

2. A shoe provided with a foot-opening extending downwardlysubstantially vertically at the side of the shoe to a point intermediatethe top and sole, and thence substantially horizontally to the edge ofthe vamp, a 0011- tinuous lacing closing the opening, a series of hooksor studs along the footopening through which the lacing is freelymovable, and lace-clamps interposed between the hooks or studs tofixedly hold the lace at an intermediate point, arranged to permit anindependent adjustment of the lacing at the instep and ankle,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of twoattesting witnesses, this 23d day of June, 1896.

EDWIN F. BLOSSOM.

\Vitnesses:

BENJAMIN PHILLIPS, A. E. WHYTE.

